Authors: Scarlet Hyacinth
Tags: #Romance
The naga were a mystery to most draechen, not only Sage, but then, most second-caste shifters were. They’d been deemed rare for a good reason. Compared to the overwhelming population of other types of shifters, nagas, gryphons, basilisks, and others like them were impossibly few. Before the Great Sacrifice, draechen had been one of these rare shifters, but their subsequent rise to power had encouraged unprecedented growth in numbers.
However, the naga hadn’t changed, and information on them was scarce. Sage desperately hoped that this lack of knowledge had been behind Karein’s earlier words, but somehow he doubted it. Either way, he wanted to speak to Camden Isaiat. He needed to make sure the naga understood the two of them were mates.
He found Camden’s quarters with ease as his dragon guided him there. The naga were apparently a suspicious bunch as they had their own people keeping watch. Still, they let him pass without giving him too much trouble, something which made Sage suspect his arrival had been anticipated. Indeed, he didn’t even get the chance to knock at the door. It opened before he even got the chance, revealing Camden standing in the doorway. “Well, you certainly took your time,” he said, narrowing his eyes at Sage. The effect looked quite striking in Camden’s slitted gaze.
“You gave me no sign that I’d be welcome here at all,” Sage pointed out.
Camden snorted and stepped back inside, but left the door open, a silent invitation for Sage to follow him. Sage did, a little taken aback by the reception, but pleased that Camden had, at least, recognized their bond. He quietly shut the door behind himself, ensuring their privacy. For a few moments, neither of them spoke. Sage allowed himself the luxury to admire his beautiful mate. He’d seen many handsome men in his lifetime, and shifters weren’t shy so to speak. Karein, for example, had many times been naked in front of him. Prince Sareltae wasn’t quite so audacious, but he was very lovely regardless, in a different way.
But nothing had prepared him for the sight of Camden Isaiat. Camden moved sinuously, elegantly, his long, dark hair swaying in an almost hypnotic way. He was tall and slender, and in many ways, he looked very young, but something about the way he walked screamed predator. Sage had to admit that he had become a more than willing prey, a strange position to be in for a draechen.
Camden went to the bar and poured himself a glass of scotch. When he turned toward Sage, he said, “So, here we are. What now?”
Everything inside Sage screamed to say, “Now, I claim you,” but he had a feeling that wouldn’t go over well. He met his mate’s gaze without flinching, wondering what was hiding behind those mysterious snake-like eyes. Camden might be trying to unbalance him for some obscure reason, but Sage wouldn’t allow it. He could play the game with the best of them, even with a naga.
“First of all,” he said calmly, “I want to make sure we’re on the same page. The two of us are mates.”
“We are,” Camden confirmed. “In a way.”
Sage frowned. “You mean I haven’t claimed you yet. That’s easily fixed.”
He regretted his dismissive words seconds later when Camden’s eyes flashed angrily. “Is that right? How does it work for draechen? Meet in a hallway, run off with another man, then come back to fuck?”
“That isn’t what I meant,” Sage answered. “Look, I’m sorry. I just… Things are hard enough as it is. You’re right that we barely know each other, and I’d never push you into anything. But I need to know how you want to deal with this.”
“What you need to do is to introduce yourself,” Camden answered and took another sip of scotch.
Sage’s mind simply went blank. Hadn’t he…? No, he hadn’t. He’d heard Camden’s name, but before he could introduce himself, Prince Sareltae had gotten that strange dizzy spell. Fuck, he was making such a mess of things. But he’d never been one to dwell on his failures. He preferred to fix them. “Lieutenant Sagenamadeen Zager, at your disposal,” he replied.
“Prince Camden Isaiat,” his mate said. “And now that we’ve made that clear, a man in your position must realize that we can’t possibly take this further or expose it. I’m not willing to become a concubine, and the Directive forbids anything different.”
“Exceptions can be made,” Sage argued. “Nothing is set in stone.”
Camden grimaced. “Perhaps if I’d been a different type of shifter, I would be inclined to hope. But I am a chimera, Lieutenant, a half, like your people call me. That makes us twice incompatible. To tell you the truth, I’m surprised they still consider us second caste.”
“It doesn’t matter to me,” Sage answered furiously. “That description is idiotic anyway. You’re a shifter, just like me.”
“Well, some people don’t agree,” Camden answered. “Do yourself a favor and forget about me. Fate played a trick on us, but draechen and naga are about as right for each other as…well, draechen and werewolves.”
That was hardly a fair comparison. Yes, chimeras—half-shifters like naga and mermaids—weren’t well viewed in some circles, but official law still had them in the second caste. Nevertheless, the fact remained that, according to the Directive, Camden was still very much below Sage. The entire situation made no sense. Camden was the prince, and Sage’s rank meant nothing compared to that. But Sage was a draechen, and Camden only a naga, so they couldn’t be together. And Camden didn’t even want to try. He seemed completely convinced that there was no point in making the attempt.
“Do you even care at all?” he asked. “Do you feel the mate bond like I do?”
Camden didn’t reply. Well, he just looked away from Sage, and that was reply enough. “I see,” Sage said at last, the bitter taste of rejection and heartbreak filling his mouth. “Farewell then, Prince Isaiat. I wish you the best in your further endeavors.”
Yes, it was much better this way. It hurt to leave, but he didn’t know Camden yet. He instinctively realized how good it could be between them, but the true potential of a mate-bond relationship only became fulfilled once the people involved spent some time together. Sage could only hope that if that didn’t happen, the seed of desire that had been planted in his heart would wither and die. He didn’t bet on it, though, or rather, he suspected that once that happened, his soul might just go with it.
Regardless, Sage had told Camden the truth in that he would in no way force the young naga prince to accept a relationship with him. So without another word, Sage turned away from Camden and headed toward the door. But before he could step out, a delicate, but strong hand landed on his shoulder. “Don’t go,” Camden whispered.
Sage glanced toward Camden once more. “Don’t play games with me, naga. I…”
The rest of the words died in his throat when he saw the naked vulnerability on Camden’s face. “Don’t go,” Camden repeated. “Nothing about this is a game, but… If you leave, I don’t think I’d ever be able to bear it.”
Sage didn’t say anything else. He couldn’t think he could have spoken to save his life. Instead, he pulled Camden close and crushed their mouths together. The glass Camden had been holding clattered to the ground, shattering with a sound both of them ignored. At first, Camden went rigid and almost seemed like he wanted to pull back, but in the end, he relaxed against Sage, parting his lips in a strikingly shy way. Sage took the hint and slid his slick muscle into Camden’s wet cavern slowly, not rushing, simply giving Camden—and himself—a taste of what it could be like between them.
As a rule, ice dragons weren’t known for their passionate natures, especially when, like Sage, they came from a full line of draechen aligned with this element. But as Camden’s forked tongue made contact with Sage’s, lust exploded through Sage, so potent it melted away the icy control he’d been desperately hanging on. Flipping them around, he pinned the naga against the door, delving deep into Camden’s mouth, needing more.
He’d have liked for the kiss to go on forever, but the need to breathe forced them apart. As he broke the lip-lock, Sage met Camden’s serpentine gaze, fascinated with it. He could so easily imagine glancing into those slitted eyes as he thrust his dick in and out of Camden’s body. Oh, and Camden’s tongue… It would feel so good as it danced over Sage’s prick. “Is your tongue always forked?” he asked huskily.
Camden chuckled and nodded. “Just another thing that we can’t change when we shift. You know, legend has it that the gods once spilled the essence of immortality into the grass and my ancestors licked it up, therefore getting forked tongues.”
Sage couldn’t believe they were talking about mythology. “And is that true?”
His mate snorted. “It depends on who you ask.” Camden slid out of Sage’s embrace and groaned. “We really shouldn’t be doing this. I can’t stay in Draechenburg. I have to return to Patala. And even if I did stay, we can’t be together.”
Reason dictated that Camden was correct, but Sage refused to accept it. “There has to be a way. I’m sure of it.”
Camden sighed. “You know why I’m here, Lieutenant. Your people are dangerous for mine. Even if the Directive and our societies hadn’t been against it, the fact remains that draechen are a danger for all castes.”
Sage studied his mate in shock. Did that mean the naga knew about the war the emperor was planning? It wouldn’t be too farfetched, and it would certainly explain why Camden had been sent to Draechenburg in the first place. The naga shot him a disapproving look. “I never should have said that. Lieutenant, you have to promise that whatever the two of us discuss, you will not share with your superiors.”
“And what will you promise back if I do so?” Sage asked. As loyal as he was to Karein, he wouldn’t betray his mate’s confidence, but he wanted to see the same openness from Camden.
The naga took a deep breath. “I will make a solemn oath to you. Right now, we don’t even know each other. I would be inclined to bond with you, but it would be irresponsible and disrespectful of such an important thing. Sadly, my duty summons me back to Patala, but I will return to your side. That, I vow.”
Everything inside Sage screamed to keep Camden here with him, to claim him like the ways of their people demanded. But Camden wasn’t a draechen, and Sage couldn’t force his mate into something the naga wasn’t ready for. He just needed to know one simple thing. “Before you say that, I’d like to ask you a single question. I know your people… You don’t mate like draechen. Is there someone else, in Patala?”
Camden shook his head. “No one. There never has been.”
A heavy weight lifted off Sage’s chest. “Then we’re agreed. Whatever we speak of will remain strictly between the two of us.” Sage paused. “On one condition. Call me Sage.”
The morning of Karein’s departure, Sari dressed in his most elegant and strict outfit. He considered braiding his hair back by ways of his people, but in the end, left it loose, like Karein always asked him to. He exited his quarters with his head held high and his spine straight, meeting every gaze without flinching.
He had not seen Karein since their supposed argument. Sage had come to officially notify him of Karein’s decision, although, of course, Sari had already known about it. A part of Sari wished he could have hidden in his room and not been forced to watch his mate leave without him, but he couldn’t do that. The naga delegation was leaving at the same time. Besides, no matter what differences Sari and Karein had—or rather, pretended to have—in public they still needed to keep up the appearance of a happy couple. It was horrible and frustrating, creating a nearly farcical situation. Basically, Sari would have to simulate masking a dislike he didn’t really feel, while attempting to hide his genuine need for his mate. It was enough to make his head and his heart ache.
Nevertheless, he did what his position demanded and went to the throne room. The imperial family would gather here to officially see off Karein, his brother, as well as the naga prince. So far, only Akarawem was present. Sari experienced a brief moment of panic, during which he thought he’d have to stand next to the princess, but then, Sage intervened, guiding him across her. For once, she didn’t smirk at him. In fact, she didn’t spare him one single glance.
“My parents didn’t appreciate what she did,”
Karein said in Sari’s mind.
“I gather they must have punished her somehow, although I’m not sure what happened.”
Sari did his best not to show the relief he felt at hearing Karein’s voice. All thoughts of Akarawem vanished, and he focused on Karein.
“Thank Jenarra we have this bond. Otherwise, I don’t think I could have let you go.”
“I can still back out of it,”
Karein replied.
“Just say the word.”
But Sari couldn’t be so selfish. Karein was the only one who could help Prince Hareematek in such a delicate matter. Even if Sari didn’t get along with his own siblings, he wanted Karein to be close to his brother, to build a real relationship with Hareematek.
“Go,”
Sari answered,
“but come back soon. I already miss you, and you haven’t even left yet.”
As he spoke, the doors to the throne room opened, and Hareematek walked inside, followed by Karein and Camden Isaiat. The rest of the naga delegation completed the group. According to what Sari had been told, this official farewell wouldn’t have happened normally, as the Isaiat weren’t considered important enough. In fact, Karein and Hareematek’s trip wouldn’t have warranted such attention either. But since the two princes’ departure coincided with that of the Isaiat, the emperor had decided to add a gesture of goodwill toward the naga, throw them a bone, in a way.
It seemed to take forever for Karein and the others to make their way across the huge room. Sari honestly didn’t know how long the trek lasted, because every part of him was fully focused on Karein. Impossibly, his mate seemed even more handsome today, dressed in one of his formal uniforms, the Ouroboros-like ring on his finger. His dark gaze met Sari’s at one point, and time seemed to stop altogether.
“You’re the beautiful one,”
Karein said through their bond.
“I can never get tired of looking at you.”